Green Mountain Energy and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) today announced the completion of solar installations at three state parks across Texas as part of their long-standing sustainability partnership.
Park visitors can now experience the benefits of solar energy whether they are comparing shoe sizes to actual dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park, enjoying the spectacular South Texas wildlife at Estero Llano Grande State Park or camping near the Red River at Eisenhower State Park.
“Green Mountain Energy formed a partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife in 2015 to provide renewable energy to parks across Texas, and these solar installations are the latest step in our joint commitment to conserve our state’s natural resources,” said Mark Parsons, vice president and general manager, Green Mountain Energy. “The addition of solar to these three parks will help offset energy costs, add needed shade structures and reduce the environmental footprint at the parks.”
The three solar installations will provide more than 67 kilowatts of renewable energy, completely powered by the sun. Together they will produce over 95,000 kilowatt hours annually. Through the ongoing sustainability partnership, all TPWD facilities in competitive markets are supported by 100 percent Texas renewable energy from Green Mountain Energy.
The installations also enhance the visitor experience at the parks. At Dinosaur Valley State Park, a display of solar panels also functions as a beneficial shade structure for visitors and educational events while optimizing viewing potential for the park’s dinosaur models. The installation at Estero Llano Grande State Park is a visually appealing structure specially designed with low glare so not to impede visitors’ views along nearby walking paths.
“The partnership with Green Mountain Energy is a great example of a collaboration that helps TPWD with our goals to use sustainable practices to support our resource conservation efforts,” says Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. “We are thrilled to have three new renewable energy projects at parks to inspire and educate people on the importance of environmental sustainability. We offer our thanks to everyone at Green Mountain Energy and TPWD involved in these projects for their dedicated work towards this achievement.”
Previously, Green Mountain Energy provided a 21 kilowatt rooftop solar array at TPWD’s Sea Center Texas, a marine aquarium, fish hatchery and nature center. Additionally, the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club made a $40,000 donation to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area to help purchase and install a 11.2 kilowatt solar array on the park’s welcome center. The partners worked together in unique ways to implement alternative energy solutions to offset TWPD’s energy usage, allowing for more park enhancements.
Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain Energy Company is the nation’s longest serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. The company was founded in 1997 with a simple mission: to change the way power is made. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, as well as a variety of carbon offset products and sustainable solutions for businesses. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid more than 63 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. To learn more about Green Mountain, visit greenmountainenergy.com.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department mission balances outdoor recreation and sustainable use of resources with conservation and management of natural and cultural resources. The department operates 95 Texas state parks, natural areas and historic sites, 50 wildlife management areas, three saltwater fish hatcheries and five freshwater hatcheries. TPWD game wardens and wildlife and fisheries biologists work in every Texas county, enforcing laws and encouraging management to conserve fish and wildlife. The agency has 11 internal divisions: Wildlife, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Law Enforcement, Legal, State Parks, Infrastructure, Communications, Administrative Resources, Human Resources and Information Technology.
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